02-11-2004, 11:44 AM
[cool][blue][size 1]The full moon is good for providing an excuse when you don't catch anything. The truth is that there are no absolutes. You can't use either never or always when applying the phase of the moon to fishing.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]There are two influences of a full moon period. One is the increased gravitational pull of having the sun and moon lined up directly opposite each other. That increases pressure somewhat, but when fish move up and down in the water column, it is negligible as an effect on feeding.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The increased light factor can be an influence. In clear waters, where the fish are sight feeders, they will feed more at night because they can. They can see prey better, so they feed at night under relative cover of darkness and digest during the daytime.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Much of the effect of the moon on fishing is species and time of year specific. Some fish rarely feed at night anywat...like yellow perch. Others are well known night feeders...like trout, bass and walleyes. The full moon provides more light and they feed more.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Bass chasers often rely on the full moon during the spring fling...bass spawning time. Most tell you that they do better for the two or three days around the full moon, during the spawn, than before or after.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Salt water surf fishing can often be gangbusters during a full moon. The increased gravity makes for higher tides, and the surf fish are able to chase small surf zone invertebrates...like sand worms and sand crabs...in the higher water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have had some of my most enjoyable fishing trips on the "full moon in June" on several lakes, over a period of many years. When the weather is clear and calm, with a bright moon, lots of fish will come right up near the surface. I have enjoyed topwater action at night on crappies, bass, sunfish and even a few stray misguided catfish.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Like many fishing subjects, this one will get a lot of opinions. But, my opinion is that the skill of the angler is ALWAYS more important than the phase of the moon.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]There are two influences of a full moon period. One is the increased gravitational pull of having the sun and moon lined up directly opposite each other. That increases pressure somewhat, but when fish move up and down in the water column, it is negligible as an effect on feeding.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The increased light factor can be an influence. In clear waters, where the fish are sight feeders, they will feed more at night because they can. They can see prey better, so they feed at night under relative cover of darkness and digest during the daytime.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Much of the effect of the moon on fishing is species and time of year specific. Some fish rarely feed at night anywat...like yellow perch. Others are well known night feeders...like trout, bass and walleyes. The full moon provides more light and they feed more.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Bass chasers often rely on the full moon during the spring fling...bass spawning time. Most tell you that they do better for the two or three days around the full moon, during the spawn, than before or after.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Salt water surf fishing can often be gangbusters during a full moon. The increased gravity makes for higher tides, and the surf fish are able to chase small surf zone invertebrates...like sand worms and sand crabs...in the higher water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have had some of my most enjoyable fishing trips on the "full moon in June" on several lakes, over a period of many years. When the weather is clear and calm, with a bright moon, lots of fish will come right up near the surface. I have enjoyed topwater action at night on crappies, bass, sunfish and even a few stray misguided catfish.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Like many fishing subjects, this one will get a lot of opinions. But, my opinion is that the skill of the angler is ALWAYS more important than the phase of the moon.[/size][/#0000ff]
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